106 ‘QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. [1 Fex., 1899. 
possible, and that without applying heat to the roots. Now, the great thing 
was to ensure these cool root conditions to best advantage, and this we found 
could readily be done by the aid of Jadoo fibre, which we had already used with 
such good results on our pot tomato crop. We emphasise this point. We 
insist upon the necessity of the conditions, because it is the basis of successful 
cultivation as regards forced peaches, and we have proved the advantage of 
-doing so again and again, as a reference to our bulky experimental text-books 
‘shows. As these tests have been made in our experimental house on growing 
crops, of which a strict daily account has been kept, they are reliable and of 
the utmost value to fruitgrowers. 
In potting the trees, the roots rested in amass of Jadoo fibre, care being 
taken that it was all covered well with soil to prevent drying out. It is useless 
to put Jadoo on the top of the pot on that account, and if this point is 
observed then its effect will be exceedingly beneficial. A good soil was used, 
the roots were well firmed in the earth, and the drainage conditions were all 
that could be desired. A waterlogged soil, or a moisture-laden atmosphere 
‘without afree circulation of warm air is injurious to the peach, and must be 
‘avoided. As the Jadoo fibre keeps the roots in cool condition, water must not 
be supplied too freely, this being regulated by the actual wants of the trees, 
which are easily observable. We used good turfy loam and a sprinkling of 
sand, A good thing to ensure at starting is a low temperature ; the more 
gradual the start is made the better, 40 degrees being ample. Then great care 
is needed not to have too high a temperature when the fruit buds show—in fact, 
not until the fruit sets—as too high a temperature will result in the loss of 
fruit. Ifa temperature first of 40 degrees at night, increasing to 50 degrees 
-after the fruit is well set, and after the stoning period of 55 degrees or 60 
degrees by night, and 70 degrees to 80 degrees by sun heat, is ensured, things 
will be satisfactory. ‘Then after the fruits are halt-grown, a higher temperature 
accompanied by free supplies of moisture and foliage syringing, will bring the 
crop on in good condition. “When the fruit is colouring, ample supplies of sun 
heat are needful, and plenty of light and air also tend to the production of 
‘perfect fruit. . 
We might add that the trees in pots were taken into heat in November, 
and that they were set in 12-inch pots. We watered only with warm water. 
As the result we found the trees gave a very large crop which ‘had to be freely 
thinned. The trees gave a good fruiting growth, and truit.of exceptionally 
chigh quality. Some of the fruits measured 10 inches and 11 inches in cireum- 
ference. They were splendidly coloured, and the trees were loaded. The 
‘variety grown was Hale’s Early. There can be no doubt that the heavy crop 
-and the fine quality and colour of the fruit was due to the cool condition of the 
roots, ensured by the frec use of Jadoo fibre ; consequently this test proves the 
-great value of this material in peach culture, either under glass or in the open 
-air, The point we have proved is of the utmost importance in forced fruit 
culture, and it is one that we think we are justified in claiming has never been 
‘brought out by any writer in any other publication on fruit culture. 
TE increasing demand for Jadoo fibre would seem to warrant the idea 
that there is ample room in Melbourne for the establishment of a manufactory 
of this valuable material. The original establishmentin England has developed 
into a very large affair. A similar factory was not long since started in 
France, and now we find that at Philadelphia, U.S., a very extensive factory is 
-being built. This will have a capacity for making 8 tons of fibre and 1,000 
-gallons of Jadoo liquid per day. The Philadelphian Company are making 
-arrangements for supplying the trade in Mexico, South America, the West 
Indian Isles, as well as the States.—Awstralasian. 
